‘Carpenters, welders, chefs’ — Denmark seeks skilled workers to address labour shortage

Denmark has updated its positive list to woo foreign skilled workers as it tries to address its labour shortfall.

The positive list refers to professions experiencing a shortage of skilled or highly qualified professionals in Denmark.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) updates the list twice a year based on the ongoing labour market monitoring — January 1 and July 1.

The list covers jobs for persons with a higher education and skilled workers.

According to the updated list, 72 job titles have been reserved for people with higher education while skilled workers have 38 slots.

Foreigners who have been offered a job that is part of the positive list for people with a higher education are eligible to apply for both a residence and work permit in Denmark under the scheme.

Some of these areas include the military, business and administrative positions, production and service, healthcare, teaching and education, economics, law and social sciences, information communication and technology, and engineering.

Foreign skilled workers with expertise in healthcare, personal service, personal care, building and trade, and metal and machinery are also sought after, according to the list.

Those in these categories include business professionals, secretaries, clerks, assistants, welders, carpenters, chefs, paramedics, service technicians, real estate agents, etc.

In previous months, countries like Germany and Canada have eased their visa processes and amended immigration laws to woo more foreign talents as they grapple with a labour shortage.

The German parliament in June 2023 introduced an “opportunity card” to allow foreigners who do not yet have a job to come to Germany for a year to find employment.

In November 2023, Canada said it was seeking to welcome 485,000 immigrants this year, including skilled workers and caregivers.